Reading time from your word count
238 wpm is the starting pace for silent adult English non-fiction reading. Divide your word count by that rate to estimate minutes. Select fiction to use 260 wpm, and use the result to plan your next reading session. These are planning estimates; time a rehearsal to check your own pace.
Updated
Estimated silent reading time
4 min 12 sec (4:12)
Results round half up to whole seconds or words. Calculations run in your browser.
238 wpm gives you a silent reading estimate for an article or other adult English non-fiction. The fiction setting uses 260 wpm. Enter the text’s word count to see its duration in minutes and seconds, then block out time to read it.
183 wpm is the average for reading aloud in timed tasks; 155 wpm is the finished audiobook pace. Use the table to compare those with silent reading. Open the words to minutes tool when you are preparing a spoken script or recording narration.
| Benchmark | Words per minute | Time | Source context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent non-fiction | 238 | 4 min 12 sec | Brysbaert (2019): adult English silent non-fiction reading |
| Silent fiction | 260 | 3 min 51 sec | Brysbaert (2019): adult English silent fiction reading |
| Reading aloud | 183 | 5 min 28 sec | Brysbaert (2019): average reading aloud in timed tasks |
Times round to the nearest whole second, with half a second rounded up. Word counts round to the nearest whole word, with halves rounded up. Calculations use the full rate before rounding.
Questions about reading time
What is the average silent reading speed?
238 wpm for non-fiction and 260 wpm for fiction are adult English silent reading averages. Choose the setting that matches your text and enter its word count. Children, older adults, and people reading in a second language often need more reading time.
Can I use this calculator for reading aloud?
183 wpm is the average for oral reading tasks. Use the table to see that pace alongside silent reading. For a prepared speech or performed narration, open the words to minutes calculator and choose the preset that matches what you will deliver.
Does this reading time include studying or taking notes?
The result covers reading the text at your selected pace. Add time for taking notes, study breaks, and rereading when you plan a study session. For a long assignment, enter each section separately and put a note-taking break between sections.